Three county football teams are having their homecoming this week: Cherokee County, Sand Rock and Spring Garden. Our teams usually fare well on homecoming, and I’m banking on that to help me get my head above water when it comes to picking this season.

I had my best week of the season so far last week, but it was still a mediocre 4-3 mark. That brings my overall total for the season to 7-8.

Will I finally get on course near the midway point of the season, or will it be a week of homecoming heartbreak? Read on to find out ‘What In The World Is Shannon Fagan Thinking?’

Piedmont (3-0) at West End (0-2)

Piedmont’s main strength offensively this season has been its run game. West End’s weakness has been giving up a lot of yards on the ground. That could make for a lopsided result. I’m thinking the Bulldogs bulldoze the Patriots in this one.

The pick: Piedmont.

Brewer (1-2) at Cherokee County (1-1)

The first of the aforementioned homecoming games, and it’s a first-ever meeting between the Patriots and the Warriors.

Tatum Perry and Jayshawn Stroup proved to be a potent combination for Cherokee County last week at Hayden. Perry completed 15-of-22 pass attempts for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 93 yards on nine carries and added another score. Stroup added 85 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns in the Warriors’ 49-27 victory.

Brewer also earned its first win of the season at Crossville. The Patriots also had a dynamic duo in Elijah Alexander, who accounted for three touchdowns and 160 all-purpose yards, and Cole Drinkard, who completed 4-of-5 pass attempts for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran three times for 34 yards and two scores.

Here’s thinking the Warriors’ duo delivers a bit more.

The pick: Cherokee County.

Collinsville (2-0) at Ider (3-0)

It’s been 11 years since the Hornets have begun a season at 3-0. They’ve been doing their damage behind their run game, featuring Connor Ellis, Braxton Traylor and Bryant Traylor. Ellis has run for 343 yards and seven touchdowns. Braxton Traylor has rushed for 313 yards and three touchdowns while Bryant Traylor has rushed for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

Traditionally, they’ve played the Panthers pretty tight too. Collinsville holds a slim edge in the series, 20-19 with two ties.

It wouldn’t surprise me if this one was closer than some people might think, but I expect Ernie Willingham’s Panthers to put an extra day of preparation to good use following their 49-0 victory over Brindlee Mountain last Thursday.

The pick: Collinsville.

Section (1-1) at Sand Rock (1-1)

It’s homecoming week at Sand Rock, and playing the Lions last year for homecoming worked out pretty well for the Wildcats. They notched a 35-12 victory, which was Tanner Nelson’s first at Sand Rock.

This is also Section’s first road game this season, so I’ll give the edge to the Wildcats here.

The pick: Sand Rock.

Gaylesville (2-0) at Spring Garden (1-2)

It’s also homecoming for Spring Garden in this week’s Foothills Tractor Mahindra Game of the Week.

These two teams love to run. Jack Sentell leads the Trojan offense with 337 yards on 30 carries and six touchdowns. Brady Ruark and Ben Baker are the Panthers’ bread and butter. Ruark has run for 331 yards on 46 carries with two touchdowns. Baker has accumulated 313 yards on 30 totes with two scores this season.

Spring Garden appears to have turned the corner following last week’s win over Appalachian. Here’s thinking the Panthers continue their climb in another crucial region battle with the Trojans.

The pick: Spring Garden.